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Le Mans / ALMS
GT1: Todt - Room For Two FIA Sports Car World Championships
FIA President willing to give GT1 World Championship another chance in light of difficult economic times...
Opting to miss the F1 season-opener in Melbourne last weekend, FIA President Jean Todt was on hand to witness the kick-off of the new World Endurance Championship in Sebring. (Photo: Jeff Carter/FIA WEC)
Despite the launch of the World Endurance Championship, FIA President Jean Todt has admitted he’s not given up on the GT1 World Championship, which had initially struggled to meet the minimum number of participants for the 2012 season.
Todt, speaking to media during last weekend’s opening round of the new WEC in Sebring, believes there’s enough room under the FIA umbrella for both Stephane Ratel’s sprint-race GT1 series, and the FIA’s new partnership with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which brings endurance sports car racing back to the world’s stage for the first time in two decades.
“We are talking about two [different] philosophies,” Todt said. “One, the GT is a sprint race championship and Endurance is as in it's name. I want to give as many chances to the GT Championship to live. It's a new championship. Then will be able to assess the situation.
“It would be easy to say, 'OK, we stop.' But for me, it's more pleasing and more encouraging to say, 'Let's try to make it happen and work.'”
The GT1 World Championship, which has moved to GT3-spec machinery for this year following two seasons with a mix of old and new GT1 cars, kicks off its globe-trotting season next month in France, where 18 cars are expected participate.
Three late two-car team entries, carrying the backing of China, Russia and India and “engineered” by Ratel’s SRO Group, the series promoter, has ensured the minimum number of 16 cars required by circuit promoters for each event.
Todt said he’s been understandable of Ratel’s situation and is willing to make compromises to ensure the future of the championship.
“Until a few days ago, the FIA GT Championship was a question mark,” Todt said. “The promoter, SRO, Stephane Ratel, was not able to commit to run the championship [until now]. You must have a lot of respect for people who are [investing] money for teams.
“We as the FIA have given him as much support as we could. We have allowed him to extend the deadlines to have 18 cars at the start of the championship and of course to [confirm] the calendar.
“I must say he's been doing an excellent job because it will happen this year. To be able to have this championship happening in the very tough economic climate, we have to sometimes accept some compromises.”
One of those is rumored to be another calendar change, which currently features a 10-round series with “flyaway” events in China, Russia, Argentina and India.
The GT1 World Championship is scheduled to begin in Nogaro, France on April 8.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Todt, speaking to media during last weekend’s opening round of the new WEC in Sebring, believes there’s enough room under the FIA umbrella for both Stephane Ratel’s sprint-race GT1 series, and the FIA’s new partnership with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which brings endurance sports car racing back to the world’s stage for the first time in two decades.
“We are talking about two [different] philosophies,” Todt said. “One, the GT is a sprint race championship and Endurance is as in it's name. I want to give as many chances to the GT Championship to live. It's a new championship. Then will be able to assess the situation.
“It would be easy to say, 'OK, we stop.' But for me, it's more pleasing and more encouraging to say, 'Let's try to make it happen and work.'”
The GT1 World Championship, which has moved to GT3-spec machinery for this year following two seasons with a mix of old and new GT1 cars, kicks off its globe-trotting season next month in France, where 18 cars are expected participate.
Three late two-car team entries, carrying the backing of China, Russia and India and “engineered” by Ratel’s SRO Group, the series promoter, has ensured the minimum number of 16 cars required by circuit promoters for each event.
Todt said he’s been understandable of Ratel’s situation and is willing to make compromises to ensure the future of the championship.
“Until a few days ago, the FIA GT Championship was a question mark,” Todt said. “The promoter, SRO, Stephane Ratel, was not able to commit to run the championship [until now]. You must have a lot of respect for people who are [investing] money for teams.
“We as the FIA have given him as much support as we could. We have allowed him to extend the deadlines to have 18 cars at the start of the championship and of course to [confirm] the calendar.
“I must say he's been doing an excellent job because it will happen this year. To be able to have this championship happening in the very tough economic climate, we have to sometimes accept some compromises.”
One of those is rumored to be another calendar change, which currently features a 10-round series with “flyaway” events in China, Russia, Argentina and India.
The GT1 World Championship is scheduled to begin in Nogaro, France on April 8.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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